Summer greetings from the Traditional Music Ministry!
While our ensembles are taking a well-deserved rest, several incredibly talented musicians have stepped up and volunteered to offer special music throughout the summer months at our 11 o’clock worship service. This week, I’d like to take a moment to thank each of them for sharing their God-given gifts with the congregation.
Chrissy Harmon kicked off our summer music series with a beautiful arrangement of The Goodness of God, accompanied by the organ. Later in June, we heard a contemporary vocal duet arrangement of It Is Well with My Soulfrom Stephanie and Kurt Wolfe. (Extra kudos to Stephanie for stepping up as both Liturgist and Cantor a few weeks ago!) We concluded the month with a charming clarinet duet by Rachel Schultz and Jim Simpson, who shared an arrangement of Fairest Lord Jesus. Rachel and Jim have been making music together since high school; what a blessing that they were willing to share all that talent and experience with us!
In July, Lori Cole graciously joined me for an arrangement of None Other Lamb, a beautiful text by Christina Rossetti (author of In the Bleak Midwinter and Love Came Down at Christmas) This past week, I asked our newest staff member, Jonah Smeltzer, to help me feature a new addition to our ministry, a mandolin. I had the pleasure of living in East Tennessee for nearly a decade, so bluegrass is near and dear to my heart. Imagine my surprise when that instrument arrived in the office! Bob Orth generously donated the mandolin to Dutilh Church, and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to share it with you. We’ll close July with my brother, Ryan Lynch, who will be joining me on the bench for an organ and piano duet. We’ll offer an arrangement of You Raise Me Up, and he will also share an organ prelude and postlude. (When your brother’s in town, you put him to work!)
We’ll close out our series in August with Bud Warner joining me for an arrangement of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, a men’s quartet singing I’ll Fly Away, our ukulele ensemble strumming a few tunes before our “lunchtime gig” at Worship in the Park, and Chip Humphries on baritone.
I said it after Pentecost, and I’ll say it again, this much talent in one church is not the norm. We are so incredibly blessed by the amazing folks among us who not only possess these gifts but share them so willingly. While the summer has given us all a chance to refresh and recharge, I cannot wait for another year with the Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, and Ukulele Ensemble!
Rob Lynch
P.S. These groups are incredible; you should join and help make them even better!